Saturday, February 13, 2016

Pamela Pretswell in the mix with a round to go of NZ Open as four Scots make the cutBy COLIN FARQUHARSONPamela Pretswell from Hamilton is hanging on in there in joint third place with one round to go in the Handa New Zealand Women's Open at Christchurch.Four Scots in all made the cut. Only Kylie Walker failed.Pretswell has had rounds of 68 and70 for 138 and is only two shots behind the new leader, tournament favourite Lydia Ko (NZ) who has scored 69 and 67 for eight-under 136.France's Justine Dreher is in second place on her own at 137 with scores of 67 and 70.Sharing third place with Pamela P are two Danish players, Emily Pedersen (72-66) and Nanna Madsen (70-68).Pretswell bogeyed the first but birdied the long fifth, the par-4 12th and the long 14th in halves of 36 and 34. She is certainly playing the par-5s well.Aberdeen-born former Curtis Cup player Gemma Dryburgh moved up to a share of 27th place on one-under 143 with a two-under 70 in the second round. She had birdies at the third, seventh, 12th and long 14th with bogeys at the first, eighth and 13th in halves of 36 and 34.Heather MacRae (Gleneagles) and Nairn's Kelsey MacDonald made the cut on the limit mark of two-over 146. Heather has had rounds of 75 and 71. She had a double bogey 6 at the eighth but birdies at the 10th and 17th - she had earlier birdied the first, fifth and seventh - got her through with nothing to spare to Sunday's final round.Same story for Kelsen who birdied the 18th for a repeat 73 after bogeys at the eighth, 13th and 15th had her heading for the sidelines. Kelsey's other birdie came at the third.Kylie Walker could not get the birdie putts to drop with a 75 for 148, two shots too many.